Admissions

We have developed an ideal educational program and learning environment to meet the unique needs of our students. We are an approved special education school that accepts student referrals from local school systems in addition to private-pay students. The Auburn School provides instructional and behavioral requirements of students with the following educational disabilities and characteristics:

• Autism
• Other Health Impairments
• Multiple Disabilities
• Developmental Disabilities
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Specific Learning Disabilities
• Have differences and difficulties in the areas of socialization, executive functioning, organization, attention, social communication, and pragmatic language. Auburn serves students with challenges in these areas, such as social awkwardness; restricted or unusually intense interests or behavior; atypical speech and language usage; difficulty sustaining conversations or friendships; and trouble successfully interacting in large group settings. This includes, but is not limited to, students with Asperger’s syndrome/ASD.
• Are bright students with average to above-average cognitive abilities. Our program is designed for students with average to above-average abilities and intellectual potential. Auburn maintains strong academic standards and expects that all of our students will pursue a diploma-track program and college matriculation.

The Auburn School encourages applications from students of all backgrounds. Only by maintaining a diverse school community can we provide the richest possible learning experience for our students. Our commitment to diversity is consistent with our focus on serving students with diverse learning styles.

“Our daughter has definitely benefited from attending Auburn. She is making strides socially, creatively, and academically. The faculty is amazing – a good balance of caring, fostering independence in an appropriate manner, and they are consistent with the behaviors of the children. She is very happy at Auburn.”

The Auburn School does not discriminate based on race, color, socio-economic level, religion, or nationality in the admission of students.

The Auburn School shall provide services for male and female students who have been diagnosed with the following disabilities: (1) Autism, (2) Other Heath Impairments, (3) Multiple Disabilities, (4) Developmental Delay, (5) Intellectual Disability, and (6) Specific learning Disabilities.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

• Initial referrals will be accepted from Local School Systems.
• Referrals will be screened by the Director of Admissions/Administrative Head/designee to determine eligibility for the program.  Intake appointments will be scheduled when deemed appropriate.
• Basic eligibility factors to be considered are as follows:
  • Montgomery County and surrounding Local School Systems
  • Age: 5 to 14 years.
  • Gender: Male and Female
  • Grades: K – 8
    • Kindergartners need to be 5 years or older by September 1 of their admission year.  Auburn school will not accept students under 5 years old.
  • Disability:
    • Autism, other health impairments, multiple disabilities, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, and specific learning disabilities
  • Academic Performance Levels:
    • Although the Auburn School is offered from grades K through 8, students do not necessarily need to be functioning on grade level.  Modifications will be made to the curriculum to meet each student’s individual needs.
  • Behavior Characteristics:
    • Social Emotional Processing Disorder (Understanding and managing emotions and initiating and managing relationships)
    • Sensory Processing Disorders (Neurodevelopmental condition impacting brain processing of sight, sound, smell taste and movement)
    • Executive Dysfunction: challenges with task initiation, organization, time management, higher order thinking, problem solving, metacognition, self-regulation)
    • Pervasive sadness, avoidance and withdrawal (Depression/Anxiety)
    • Attention problems, impulse control (ADHD)
  • Behaviors that would preclude admission:  Students will be considered on an individual basis.  However students with primary diagnosis’ of  the following would not be considered for admissions:

1. 1. 1. Conduct Disorder
      2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      3. Behavioral Disorder

• During the intake appointment, the Administrative Head/Education Director/designee shall interview the parent/guardian and obtain a release of information to/from the Local School System, and request proof of immunization.
• The multidisciplinary team, consisting of the Director of Admissions, Administrative Head and/or Education Director/or Designee, Instructional Specialist/Special Educator(s) and Mental Health Clinician and appropriate related service provider will meet within 5 school days from the last shadow visit day to determine if enrollment in the Auburn School is appropriate.
• Within five school days the Director of Admissions/or Administrative Head/Education Director will contact the family and review all assessment and appropriateness for the program.  If the placement is appropriate and the parent/guardian is in agreement, a letter of acceptance will be forwarded to the Local School System and the parent/guardian.
• If the student is not an appropriate candidate the Director of Admissions/ or Administrative Head/Education Director/designee will discuss alternative options with the LSS.